|
Ultimate Questions: Questions You
Must Ask!
Life is full of questions. Some are trivial, some more serious - and some
tremendously important.
You may have questions about your health, your financial situation, your
job, your family or your future.
But the greatest, the ultimate questions, are about God and your
relationship to Him. Nothing in life is more important than this. Good
health, financial stability, secure employment, a contented family and a
hopeful future are all things that people want. Yet even these are temporary
and eventually pointless unless you have a living relationship with God, one
that is clear and certain - and will last for ever.
In this brochure you will discover why such a relationship is so urgently
needed - and how it is possible.
The questions that follow are the most serious and important that anyone
could ask. The answers are those that everyone needs. Please read them
thoroughly and carefully. You cannot afford to miss their message.
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."
Mark 13:31
ULTIMATE QUESTIONS
- Is anyone there?
- Is God speaking?
- What is God like?
- Whom am I?
- What went wrong?
- Is sin serious?
- Where do I go from here?
- Can religion help?
- Is there an answer?
- Why the cross?
- How can I be saved?
- Which way now?
Is anyone there?
Evolution can not explain earth's amazingly complex life forms. God
exists, and He created the heavens and the earth - the entire universe.
Mankind is not the product of evolution, but was created by God Himself.
Is God speaking?
God is beyond our understanding and we need Him to reveal Himself to us.
He does this in two ways:
In His works: God speaks firstly in the glory of His creation, and
the sheer size, balance, variety of the universe show His power,
intelligence and imagination.
In His Word: God also speaks to us in the Bible. Scripture is
God-breathed, and thus is the Word of God. Its prophecies are fulfilled to
the letter, and it has had a life-changing impact on people's lives.
What is God like?
God is personal. He is not a thing, power or influence, but is a
living personal Being.
God is one. There is only one true God, in a "trinity" of three
persons - the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.
God is spirit. He does not have a body, is invisible, and is
everywhere all the time.
God is eternal. He has always existed, and He will remain always the
same.
God is independent. He survives on His own.
God is holy. He is utterly without fault or defect, and hates all
wickedness and wrong.
God is just. He is a perfect Judge, rewarding and punishing.
God is perfect. His knowledge and wisdom cover all things, and are
beyond our understanding.
God is sovereign. He is the sole and supreme ruler of the universe -
nothing is outside His control.
God is omnipotent. He is all-powerful, and nothing is too hard for
Him.
Whom am I?
Man doesn't merely exist, but was created by God. His special place
in creation is as God's personal representative with authority over all
other living creatures. Man was created in a perfect environment, with a
perfect relationship to fellow-man and in perfect harmony with God.
That's hardly the situation today! What happened?
What went wrong?
The first man and woman (Adam and Eve) disobeyed God's command not
to eat from a certain tree. So they earned the punishment God had threatened
"You shall surely die." By disobeying God, man cut himself off from God, and
in this way, death entered the world. Further, all of Adam's descendents
became polluted with sin. You are thus a sinner by birth, by nature, by
practice, and by choice.
Is sin serious?
The result of being a sinner is very serious.
You are debased. Sin has invaded every part of your nature and
personality.
You are defiled. Your thoughts, words and actions are all tainted
with sin.
You are defiant. By choosing to sin, you break God's law and make
yourself subject to God's judgment and punishment.
Where do I go from here?
What happens when you die? Those in a right relationship with God
will be welcomed into heaven. All others will be punished with everlasting
punishment in hell.
Hell is factual. The Bible makes clear that hell is a reality, and
not just imagined.
Hell is fearful. It is a place of torment and suffering, cut off from
all good.
Hell is final. There is no exit from hell. Punishment is eternal.
Hell is fair. In sending sinners to hell, God is giving them what
they have chosen. They reject God here; He rejects them there.
Can religion help?
People worship God with a vast variety of religious practices. But
"religion" can never solve your sin problem in itself.
Religion can never satisfy God. Man's best efforts are flawed, but
God demands absolute perfection.
Religion can never remove sin. Good deeds can never remove bad deeds.
Religion can never change your sinful nature. The real problem is not
man's behaviour, but his heart which is corrupt and depraved.
Religious activities are important, but you can not rely on them to make you
right with God.
Is there an answer?
Yes there is, and God has provided it. In His love, God sent his
only Son Jesus Christ. God the Son took on our human nature, and yet
remained completely God. He taught with astounding authority, performed
miracles, and healed the sick. Although He was perfectly obedient to God, He
was crucified to death. This was to pay the death penalty of sin.
Why the cross?
Christ's death on the cross is very important.
Christ the Substitute. Sinners can escape God's wrath only because
Christ volunteered to take the place of sinners and bear the just penalty
for them.
Christ the Sin-bearer. This death was very real, and Christ endured
the penalty of separation from God, in punishment for sin.
Christ the Saviour. Christ rose from the dead three days after His
death. God thus accepted the payment of Christ's death, and gave Him victory
over death.
How can I be saved?
Do you now see the need to be saved and be right with God? If so,
You must repent. This means a change of mind and heart about sin,
forsaking sin and changing the direction of your life, and living in
obedience to God.
You must have faith in Christ. This means believing that Christ died
for sin, and trusting completely and only in Jesus Christ for salvation. If
you truly believe in Christ, you will be saved and have eternal life.
Which way now?
If you believe in Christ, you have a right relationship with God,
your sins have been forgiven, you are a child of God, you are eternally
secure, and God Himself has come into your life by his Holy Spirit.
You should now give close attention to:
Prayer. You can speak with God your Father, asking Him for daily
forgiveness, and thanking Him for salvation in Christ and the many other
good things He gives you in life.
Bible reading. God speaks to you in the Bible, and you must grow in
knowledge of who God is and what He wants you to do.
Fellowship. You must meet regularly with your brothers and sisters in
Christ by joining a local church, where you will hear the regular preaching
of God's Word, and learn about the sacraments of baptism and Lord's Supper.
Service. Use your gifts to serve the Lord and live a holy life.
(Click
here if you wish to download this pamphlet
in PDF format - requires
Adobe Reader)
The information in
this pamphlet was prepared by
Rev. R.E. Pot,
minister of the Pilgrim Canadian Reformed Church in London, Ontario
|